KUALA LUMPUR: Those eligible for Covid-19 booster shots can walk in, call in or email any private vaccination centre (PPV) to register their names on a waiting list starting next Monday.
In a statement today, the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force-Booster (CITF-B) said this will also be opened to those who want to get their booster shots earlier than their MySejahtera vaccine appointments.
Apart from the eligible vaccine recipients, it said, the waiting list will be for those who have yet to receive their first or second dose of the vaccine.
"Those who have missed their MySejahtera vaccination appointments, as well as teenagers aged 12 to 17 who have not completed their vaccination cycle, are also eligible to put their names on the waiting list," it said.
The CITF-B reiterated that booster shots was prioritised for people who fall under six categories.
"For the time being, booster shots are prioritised for healthcare, security and defence frontliners; individuals aged 18 and above with comorbidities; individuals aged 40 and above; long-term healthcare centre workers and residents; pregnant mothers; and, those who need to travel overseas," said the statement.
The task force, which is chaired by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, said it believed this move would facilitate and encourage eligible individuals to voluntarily get their booster shots without having to wait any longer.
"Those who have successfully registered for booster shots will be put on a waiting list first. They will be contacted by the private medical practitioners at the said PPVs if there are any appointment cancellations or 'no shows' by those with MySejahtera vaccine appointments.
"We believe this approach will also help the government to ensure that the vaccines are not wasted and would be used optimally," said the statement.
Apart from walking in to register with the participating PPVs, members of the public can also register their names by phone and email.
"Eligible individuals can refer to the list of participating PPVs that accept the walk-in or phone or email method to register a vaccine booster shot appointment at www.protecthealth.com.my starting Nov 22."
To date, over a million Covid-19 vaccine booster shots have been administered to those eligible nationwide, the statement said.
It also said the government was in the process of improving efforts to administer the booster shots so that a period of optimum protection can be achieved.